American Beauty

Description

A black comedy that comments on the American suburban life, American Beauty traces the rise and fall of a man suffering from a midlife crisis.

Lester Burnham, stuck in a dead end job and a failed marriage, decides to regain control of his life and undergoes a drastic transformation in mind and body. As Lester focuses his "inspiration" on Angela, a friend of his unloving daughter Jane, his wife Carolyn looks elsewhere for love and support. She finds some comfort in the arms of self-proclaimed Real Estate King Buddy Kane.

Jane avoids both parents and finds comfort in the arms of the equally emotionally secluded next-door neighbor Ricky.

Beauty is the directorial feature film debut for Sam Mendes, Tony Award winner for his revival of Cabaret.